Revolutionary?
By Susan Klein
“The God who made the world and everything in it is
the Lord of heaven and earth…”
Acts 17:24 (NIV)
Man’s modern
inventions never cease to astound. As God metes out intelligence, man’s
imagination for creating new and useful tools expands. One of the more recent sophisticated
inventions is the 3-D printer, which can actually replicate a 3-dimensional object.
The field of robotics is also advancing inconceivably. Today, I watched a video
of a (terrifyingly realistic) robot made to resemble a human. [1]
As often is the case,
some things are created for beneficial purposes and others are not. Even if the
best intentions existed in its conception, a new invention in the wrong hands can
reap horrific consequences. We’ve all seen sci-fi movies that depict this idea.
(Watch the video link below.) So what is one to make of all these new
inventions?
There’s a tiny
little story in the book of Genesis, tucked in between the flood and the call
of Abram. You might be familiar with it. Chapter 11 starts, “Now the whole
world had one language and a common speech.” It goes on, “They said, ‘Come, let
us build ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens so that we
may make a name for ourselves…’ ”
Ah, their intention
exposed. Worshiping Creator God was not enough for them anymore, they wanted to
be elevated to worship status or “make a name for ourselves.” Alas, God knows
every inclination of man’s heart. I wonder how high the tower got before He put
an end to their evil plan and let them suffer the consequences? Apparently, they hadn’t learned from the flood.
How far will God let
man go today in his quest for “worship status”? Some would say He must be
turning a blind eye to what is going on. Not so. Though man has a tendency to repeat
the past rather than learn from it, God is quite actively aware and in control.
He sets His limits.
We need not fear
inventions, or terrorists, or ruling authorities, or anything of this earth.
Nothing happens outside of God’s knowing and allowing. Even Satan was not
allowed to test Job or sift Peter as wheat without God’s approval. Lamentations
3:38 states, “Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities
and good things come?”
In these, sometimes
scary, advancing times, let us hold unswervingly to the assurance of His
sovereignty and the eternal hope of His return.
GOING
DEEPER:
1. What worldly activites or
advances give you cause for concern?
2. Keep
your feet cemented in God’s truths as you await His return.
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys
teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is
a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night
Community small group.
